KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Houston Astros aren’t just disseminating bluster and blowing smoke when they describe themselves as a confident group. As their American League Division Series with the Kansas City Royals shifts to Minute Maid Park, the Astros are about to take refuge at a field where they’re formidable, behind a starting pitcher, Dallas Keuchel, who loses a home game about as often as he shaves.
You’ll be hearing these numbers a lot over the next 24 hours: In 18 regular-season starts in Houston this season, Keuchel went 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA. Even in a season marked by cartoon numbers from the likes of Jake Arrieta, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, those totals seem like a misprint.
But as the Astros look ahead with optimism, there’s a small place for regret in their competitive psyches. As their charter flight gained altitude on its way out of Missouri, they could stare out the airplane’s windows with the nagging sense they left a victory behind.
After winning the series opener behind starter Collin McHugh, the Astros took a 4-2 lead in Game 2 on Friday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. But the Royals showed their mettle by rallying against the Houston bullpen to win 5-4, and the series shifts to Houston on Sunday tied at one game each.
While the Texas Rangers were taking a stunning two-game lead over Toronto in their division series, the Astros had a chance to lay the groundwork for a similar, Texas-sized walkover. Their failure to capitalize suggests they might be destined for a five-game battle of attrition with the Royals.
“Just to let it slip away late, it was kind of a downer today," reliever Tony Sipp said. “It’s one of those things where we didn’t get it, so move on. You can’t have anything lingering into the next day. But there’s definitely a bitter taste. I feel like we had the ballgame all the way to the end. We just didn’t get it this time.’’
The Astros have had a terrific week on the road in New York and Kansas City, and no player has been more central to the script than outfielder Colby Rasmus. His solo shot off Johnny Cueto in the third inning Friday was his sixth home run in a span of six games. Rasmus also has recorded an extra-base hit in each of his first six postseason games to set a major league record. He previously had shared the mark of five consecutive games with Nelson Cruz, Nomar Garciaparra, Greg Luzinski and Pepper Martin.
When apprised of his achievements in the Houston clubhouse after Game 2, Rasmus reacted with a touch of Alabama humility and charm.
“I feel blessed,’’ Rasmus said. “The good Lord is with me. It’s one of them things. I’m just playing. I’m not thinking about no records or none of that stuff. I’m just loving the game and trying to help these boys win a ballgame.’’
Although Scott Kazmir fulfilled his end of the bargain Friday, the late innings of Game 2 exposed the soft underbelly of the Houston bullpen. Oliver Perez came on in the sixth and allowed an excuse-me, bloop RBI single to Eric Hosmer, then watched helplessly as a routine Kendrys Morales grounder found a spot in the right side left vacant by a defensive shift.
When Josh Fields walked Salvador Perez on four pitches to force in the tying run, it seemed like a slice of baseball fiction rather than fact; Perez has drawn a total of 64 unintentional walks in 2,148 MLB plate appearances. So he takes four pitches out of the strike zone as a personal affront.
The final indignity for Houston occurred in the top of the ninth inning. Outfielder Carlos Gomez, who was out of the starting lineup for both games in Kansas City because of a lingering intercostal strain, squashed any hopes of an Astros comeback when he was picked off first base by Kansas City closer Wade Davis. To compound the indignity, Gomez had to wait out a replay review for his brain cramp to become official.
“He got me,’’ Gomez said. “It was just a mistake. On that pitch, I’m going. He’s got a good move, he got me, and that’s it.’’
As Gomez continues to undergo daily treatment, the Astros hope to have him back for more than late-inning defense and pinch-running cameos in Houston. They’ll go with Keuchel followed by rookie Lance McCullers, and try to draw on the same positive energy and fan support that helped them go 53-28 at Minute Maid during the regular season.
So what about the manager? Does he think the Astros achieved their objective by coming to Kansas City and splitting against the defending AL champs?
“No, not after that loss," A.J. Hinch said matter of factly. “I don’t feel like mission’s accomplished. I want to win every game.’’
As part of the tug of war between perspective and greed, the Astros eventually will find out if Friday’s loss was just a minor blip or a missed opportunity they’ll rue for a while. The only certainty is, they don’t have the luxury of pondering the question for long. They have another game to play Sunday.